Mercerville School Handbook

www.mercervillepta.net

Mercerville School

Handbook

2016-2017

Sponsored by Mercerville PTA

Celebrating 105 Years of Education 1911-2016


Academic Overview ......................... 7 Affirmative Action Policies ............. 21 Animals on School Property…….…..11 Annual Objectives ............................ 5 Events Calendar (PTA) ..................... 6 Birthday Celebrations .................... 17 Breakfast………………………………..……17 Call-In Program .............................. 12 Cell Phones……………………...………….12 Children Left Behind ...................... 12 Class Holiday Parties (PTA) ............ 20 Clothing/Personal Belongings ....... 13 Communications ............................ 10 Core Mission Statement .................. 5 Daily Opening & Closing Times ........ 7 Discipline Policy………………...………..21 Dissection Opt Out………….…………..23 Emergency Cards ........................... 12 Emergency Closings ....................... 11 Executive Board (PTA) ................... 20 Faculty ............................................. 3 Field Day ........................................ 17 Field Trips ...................................... 17 Fund Raisers................................... 20 Green Folders ................................ 20 Hamilton Board of Education ........ 12 Health Services .............................. 15 Homework ....................................... 9 Illnesses ......................................... 15 Inclement Weather ........................ 11 Joining the PTA .............................. 20 Late/Absent ................................... 12 Lunches .......................................... 17 Lost and Found .............................. 17 Medications ................................... 16

Messages ....................................... 12 Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up Plans ................................. 13 Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up Plans Map ........................ 14 Newsletters/Calendars .................. 20 Objectives of the PTA .................... 18 Officers (PTA) ............................... 18 Parent/Teacher Conferences .......... 9 Principal’s Message ......................... 1 PTA President’s Message ................ 2 Questions & Answers .................... 24 Registration Requirements ........... 16 Report Cards ................................... 9 Resource/Support Services ............. 8 Art, Basic Skills, Child Study, English as a Second Language, Gifted/Talented, Guidance, Instrumental/String Music, Library, Physical Education, Resource Room, Speech, Vocal Music & World Language

School Floor Plans ......................... 24 School History ................................. 5 School Pictures .............................. 17 School Year Calendar ...................... 7 Sexual Harassment Policy ............. 22 Smoking Policy .............................. 22 Standardized Testing ..................... 10 Telephone Numbers ....................... 4 Transportation .............................. 10

Buses and Bikes Visiting ........................................... 13 Volunteer Form ............................. 24 Warning Letters/Interim Reports .... 9 Your PTA ...................................... 19

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Welcome Back! Dear Students and Parents, It’s time for school! I want to welcome our new and returning students to Mercerville Elementary School. I hope you are excited and ready for a great year filled with learning and fun! This handbook contains essential information regarding our school and school rules as well as important Board of Education policies. I hope that you find it a helpful resource. The exceptional staff here at Mercerville desires the best for every child, and we look forward to partnering with you to help our children be their best. Success isn't accidental. It is the result of a focused team effort, and everyone has a part to play if we are to achieve our goals and reach our potential. Students….come to school expecting to learn and willing to work hard. Our staff will provide the quality instruction that you deserve and that your parents expect. Parents….encourage your children often and have regular conversations with them about school and their work. Parental involvement shows children that school is important and that you are committed to their success. I encourage you to volunteer regularly with your child’s teacher. Together, we can accomplish great things! This year our School Climate Team has selected the slogan “Be MIGHTY” as our year long character education focus. “MIGHTY” will remind us to live up to these standards: M—maintain safety I—include everyone G—give respect to yourself and others H—have a positive attitude T—take a stand against bullying Y—yearn to be a person of good character I’m glad that you are a part of the Mercerville family, and I know that each child will have a fantastic educational experience this year.

With warm regards,

Mr. Byrne

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Dear Parents and Guardians of Mercerville,

Welcome to the 2016-2017 Mercerville School year! I am very excited to welcome you to your Student Handbook! Please use it as a resource for many of your Mercerville questions. This will be your one and only tangible copy. Future changes and updates can be found on the school’s website. This book contains important explanations and information regarding school procedures and policies. If you are looking for answers or information to specific PTA fundraisers or PTA events, please go to our website, www.mercervillepta.net. Check it frequently to keep in touch with Mercerville PTA. “Like” us on Facebook to keep up with our activities. With so many fun events planned like Trunk or Treat, Holiday Shop, Ice Skating, and the Block Party, we wouldn’t want you to miss a single one! And of course, we need your fundraising support through events like Write A Check, Book Fair, and the Pie Sale to keep the fun events coming! The PTA Board welcomes you to join. For more information on how to become a member, check out “membership” at our website. And please join us for our monthly meetings. They are usually the second Tuesday evening of each month at 7:00pm in Mercerville’s library. If, after reading through your handbook, you discover you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. As your PTA president, I am happy to assist you. May your school year be a happy and successful one! Sincerely, Kimberly Miller

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Kindergarten Catherine Allen, Melissa Bitner, Christina Cassady, Lauren Perry

1st Grade Jennifer Davidson, Deborah Hammell

Karen Gurlavich, Evelin LeMassena 2nd Grade

Linda Abbott, Megan Festa, Sandra Ryan, Melaney Secoda

3rd Grade Jennifer Blanchard, Rebecca Hauge, Cynthia Martillotti, Nicole Weingard

4th Grade Brittany Leonardi, Lisa Conenna,

Dana Sbarro, 5th Grade

Michelle Paquette, Joan Petrowski, Brittany Kanickij, Julia Belviso, Phyllis Weichert

Art Kim Canazzaro

Basic Skills Cathy Giovanos

Clerical Assistant Lynn Lambert, Linda Fucci

Child Study Team Lori Persichetti, Carin Lang, Katie Gipe-Talone

Custodial Staff Craig Fanning, Dominic Siracusa, Ron Agans

ALPS Nikole Braud

Guidance Counselor Lauren DeBlasio

Instrumental Music Amanda Lakits

Librarian Thomas Hammel

Lunch/Playground Assistants Jill Bokey, Valerie Gregorowicz,

Kelli Kostin, Kathy Kelley, Heather Martz Music

Laura Raab Nurse

Sandra Diamond Physical Education

John Telencio Secretary

Pamela Pericoloso Speech

Susan Bakal String Instruments

Pat Mercuri ESL

Jen Beyers

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Kindergarten Mrs. Allen 5393 Mrs. Bitner 5127 Ms. Perry 5211 Mrs. Cassady 5523

1st Grade Ms. LeMassena 6045 Mrs. Gurlavich 5522 Mrs. Hammell 5516 Ms. Davidson 5526

2nd Grade Mrs. Abbott 5309 Mrs. Festa 5009 Mrs. Ryan 5216 Mrs. Secoda 5325

3rd Grade Mrs. Blanchard 5577 Ms. Hauge 5092 Mrs. Martillotti 5524 Miss Weingard 5627

4th Grade Ms. Conenna 5771 Mrs. Leonardi 5989 Mrs. Sbarro 5239

5th Grade Ms. Paquette 5147 Mrs. Petrowski 5511 Ms. Kanickij 5347 Ms. Belviso 5185 Ms. Weichert 5727

Basic Skills

Ms. Giovanos 5482

Instrumental Music Mr. Mercuri 5020 Ms. Lakits 5553

Vocal Music Mrs. Raab 5598

Guidance Counselor

Ms. DeBlasio 3981

Nurse Mrs. Diamond 3980

Speech Mrs. Bakal 5837

Library Mr. Hammel 5056

Physical Education Mr. Telencio 5343

ALPS Mrs. Braud 5385

ESL Jen Beyers 5080

Hamilton Township Board of Education: 609 631-4100 Mercerville School Main Number: 609 631-4159 Fax Number: 609 631-4127 (For exchange of information as requested). Once you have dialed the main number, follow the prompts. Press 1 for the Main Office Press 2 for the Guidance Counselor’s Office Press 3 for the Nurse’s Office Press 4 for reporting a student absence or tardiness Press 9 to hear the Menu again

Dial 631-4159, push # and the extension number of the faculty staff you are contacting.


School History Mercerville School was opened in 1911. During the 2011-2012 school year we celebrated 100 years of educational excellence. The cornerstone or date stone can be found on the center of the old building in the front facing Regina Avenue. It was a four-room school house at the time, replete with a bath on the second floor for clean-up for some of the farm boys coming off the field. The year 1928 brought a new addition - two wings, one on either side that added ten classrooms, a library and an auditorium. The next addition came in 1951 and added two kindergarten classrooms and four primary classrooms, all with their own lavatories and sinks. The year 1991 found a re-locatable trailer in the rear to house two small-group instruction rooms. In 1994-95 a two classroom

addition and nurse’s office was added to the primary wing replacing the re-locatable trailer, and making the primary wing handicap accessible. Some of the names from the staff of the past included: Teachers: Auld, Walker, Smallwood, Rose, Hepburn, Trotter, Welsh, Carr, Piccinetti, Stadler, Lieblang, Sciarrotta,

Bongraver, Reed, Arendt, Ownsby, Lonabaugh, Cosma, Abbott, Zimmerman, MacNeal, Gordon, Gaudette, Fineburg,

Mankovich, Willever, Szelich, Bingley, Barresi, Vecchiolla, Abrams and Janet Richards, Toni Micai, Pat Meighan, Pam

Penkala, Barbara Flagg, and Diane Donovan Nurses: Tuma, Correia,

Classroom Aide: Lippincott. Administrators: Green, Bainbridge, Bates, Vaccaro, Van Fleet, Bender and Palumbo

Secretary: Sisti, Holzbaur Aide: Van Ness

PTA Presidents Teacher of the Year 2015-2017 Kimberly Miller 2015-2016 Nicole Weingard 2013-2015 Dina Thornton 2014-2015 Jennifer Blanchard 2012-2013 Lana Giglio 2013-2014 Karen Gurlavich 2010-2012 Dina Thornton 2012-2013 Diane Donovan 2008-2010 Kelly Caffrey 2011-2012 Francesca Carney 2007-2008 Lisa Gyurcsak 2010-2011 Barbara Flagg 2009-2010 Patricia Meighan 2008-2009 Sandra Ryan 2007-2008 Shari Moreton

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Mercerville Elementary School

“The Friendly School”


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Volunteering

Volunteering for the PTA is one way to show our students that many adults care about their educa-tion. If you find yourself with some time to donate, contact any of the PTA officers to find out how. (See page 18.) You can also join us at our monthly meetings, usually the second Tuesday of each month.

February Founder’s Day Dinner/PTA Meeting Book Fair Movie Night Valentine Parties Kindergarten Registration March PTA Meeting Spring Parties April Spring Gift Card Sale Begins PTA Meeting Earth Day Celebration May Staff Appreciation Week Barnes & Noble Night Spring Gift Card pickup Staff Appreciation Week PTA Meeting Kindergarten Tea 5th Grade Program June Block Party PTA Meeting Field Day Kindergarten End of Year Show 5th Grade Party End of year parties

September Welcome Back Breakfast for Staff Kidstuff Fundraiser Begins PTA Meeting Mums sale begins Write a Check Begins Pretzel Sale Day Back to School Night/General PTA Meeting Room Reps Meeting October PTA Meeting Book Fair Pretzel Sale Trunk or Treat Family Night Gift Card Sale Begins Fall Pie Sale Begins Halloween Parade & Parties Community Outreach November PTA Meeting Yearbook Orders begin Pie Sale/Gift Card pick-up Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast Thanksgiving Food Drive December Holiday Shop Barnes & Noble Night PTA Meeting Gift Card pickup Holiday Parties Ice Skating Party Coat, Hat and Mitten Tree January PTA Meeting Ice Skating

PTA Sponsored Annual/Special Events Calendar


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School Year Calendar At the start of the school year, a calendar of scheduled events is sent home for parents’ information and convenience. By the winter, please check mercervillepta.net for the PTA calendar. In addition, monthly menus for the cafeteria lunch are also sent home. Although there are many school days that are one-session or emergency snow days, here is a list of days the Hamilton School District will be closed.

2016-2017 Closed School Days

September Monday 5 October Monday 3 Monday 10 Wednesday 12 November Tuesday 8 Thursday 10 Friday 11 Thanksgiving Thursday 24 Friday 25 December Winter Recess 26-30 January 2016 Winter Recess 2 Monday 16 February Monday 20 March Wednesday 22 April Spring Recess 10—14 May Monday 29 June LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! 16 (if no snow days) Snow make-up days 19-23

Daily Opening & Closing Times 8:35 AM — Students enter the building.

8:55 AM — Classes begin/Late bell

LUNCH/RECESS will be during one of several lunch sessions, between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM with a thirty minute recess period.

3:35 PM — Student dismissal

School closes on one session days at 1:15 PM. The one session day schedule does not include a lunch period and children should be provided with a snack. Bag lunches are available for purchase on these days.

Academic Overview Mercerville School offers the core subject areas at all levels which include: Reading, Mathematics, Language, Spelling, Social Studies, Science and Health. These core subject areas are taught by the classroom teachers in a self-contained situation. There are exceptions beginning in grade four where students may change classes for some subjects. Other support services and resource services are available to students and are listed with a brief description on the next page.


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Instrumental/String Music Instrumental instruction is offered to students in grades 4 and 5. Instruction in the stringed instruments is offered to students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Instruments must be provided by the parents and continuation in the program is contingent upon student practice and continued interest.

Library Mercerville has a good library facility. The librarian is present three days a week. Volunteer parents are important in helping to maintain a successful library program. Children are encouraged to take books home on a weekly basis. Library meets every week.

Physical Education Classroom teachers provide physical education on a daily basis. Physical Education teachers provide instruction for your children once a week. Appropriate clothing and sneakers are recommended for this day.

Speech A speech therapist is available to help children at all grade levels who have a need for speech correction.

Vocal Music Children receive music instruction once a week from a music teacher. Concerts are given several times a year in various grade levels.

World Language The program will continue this year at Mercerville with American Sign Language instruction for students in grades K-5.

Art An art teacher provides instruction once a week. Your child may be requested to bring a smock to school to protect their clothing while participating in art projects.

Basic Skills A basic skills program is a remedial program maintained by local, state and federal funds. These programs provide small group and individualized instruction for qualifying students in reading, writing and math.

Child Study The child study team consists of a psychologist, social worker and a learning disability teacher consultant with parental consent, this team evaluates students with potential learning problems.

English as a Second Language (ESL) This program provides services for children with

limited English-speaking ability.

ALPS The teacher of the ALPS program offers small group instruction in a variety of areas to instill higher level thinking skills for students eligible for the program in grades 3-5. Students in grade 2 receive total class instruction from the GT teacher on a rotating schedule. Exposure to total class instruction will also be given in earlier grades this year.

Guidance The school guidance counselor provides individual and group counseling for students as needed. The counselor also makes classroom visits to address such areas as self-esteem, social interaction skills, school performance and decision-making skills. Parent conferences are available upon request.

Resource/Support Services In order to promote well-rounded, healthy minds and bodies, the curriculum of the school covers a wide variety of both academic and enrichment courses. Below is a listing of some of the standard cours-es provided in addition to regular classroom work.


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Report Cards Students in grades K-5 are issued report cards three times a year. The trimester system is explained on the report card. Report cards are to be signed and returned within one week from the day of their issue.

Interim Progress Reports Interim progress reports are issued to students who are in danger of failing or performing less than satisfactory. One may also be issued for behavior and for a high functioning student who is not meeting expectations.

Parent/Teacher Conferences Formal parent/teacher conferences are held twice a year. You will be notified of the dates and times of the conferences. Informal conferences can be arranged at any time at the request of a parent/guardian, teacher, or principal.

Homework There is a homework policy for the district in grades K-5. Grades 3, 4 and 5 may expect to have up to one hour or less of formal homework. Students below grade 3 may be expected to have up to 1/2 hour or less of formal assignments. Homework assignments are generally an outgrowth of the program of studies. Children should be aware that assignments are important and that teachers know and respect the amount of effort put into them. Homework encourages independent study and investigation. Parents/guardians should assist students with homework, but not do the work for them.

Some suggestions for helping your child with work include:

1) Assist your child in planning their free time. A specific time should be set aside each day for school work.

2) Provide your child with a quiet, comfortable atmosphere to do homework.

3) Show your interest and give support.

4) Avoid excessively long periods of concentrated work.

5) Encourage your child to develop high standards when doing homework (neatness, legibility and accuracy).

Dial 631-4159 and

Press 4 if your child

is going to be absent

or late


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Communications Green Folders are important for parents/guardians to keep an open line of communication with the classroom teacher. If you have a concern, please contact the teacher first. Parents/guardians who come to see the principal will be referred to the teacher if there has not been communication at that level first.

Notices and important information will be sent home with the youngest child in each family. Remind them of their obligation to take home all notices given to them. In many cases, items must be signed and returned to ensure that parents have read them. Please sign and return these notices promptly. A new folder can be purchased for $1.00. Send the money in an envelope marked “green folder”.

Notes and money being sent to school should be properly labeled with the child’s name, class, amount enclosed, date, and with the purpose for the money indicated.

Standardized Testing (Grades 3-5 only)

Students in grade 3-5 will take the PARCC test, a statewide achievement test. It will be given once a year between March 27 and May 19. Students in grade 4 will also take the NJASK Science Test on May 31.

These standardized tests are utilized as one piece of information in the assessment of student achievement and should not be considered in isolation when assessing any student.

Transportation Buses: School bus transportation is provided only for those students authorized to ride. Students may only ride the bus assigned to them and must board and get off the bus at their assigned stops. At dismissal, if a child should miss his/her bus, their parents will be notified so arrangements can be made for transportation home. Children should be informed about safe and courteous conduct while on buses. Students are to remain seated while on the bus. The 5th grade patrols will be assisting the bus driver who is in charge of the bus. Students are expected to obey the bus driver’s instructions. Improper conduct on the school bus may result in suspension from the bus.

Buses drop the children off and pick them up directly in front of the school.

There is a transportation discipline policy that is issued each year to students/parents of students who ride a bus.

Bikes: Students in the fourth and fifth grade only, may ride their bicycles to school. Parents must provide the school with written permission stating that their child is allowed to ride their bike to school. All bicycle riders must wear bicycle helmets. Students not wearing a helmet will be denied the privilege of riding their bikes to school. A bicycle rack is provided for student use. Students are advised to chain and/or lock their bikes to the rack. All bicycles should be registered with the Hamilton Township Police Department.


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most current information regarding emergency closings. Please DO NOT call the main office about closings—we need the lines to call out.

3) Make arrangements ahead of time for your child/children in case of early closing or delayed openings so that your child has a place to go to or will know that you will be picking him/her up. We strongly urge that children do not go home to an empty house and be left unsupervised. Remember, it will still be your responsibility to listen to the radio/TV at home or work for delayed openings and closings due to inclement weather. It is best to check the district website.

4) During early closings and delayed openings, school lunches will still be served. However, the lunch may be different than what is listed on the menu during a delayed opening.

5) It is imperative that we have your most current telephone numbers. Please inform the school immediately by phone or letter of any changes. Failure to do so makes it impossible to contact you with emergency information.

Animals on the Property

It is against school policy to bring animals on the property. While your dog is quite familiar to your child, we cannot assume that every child is comfortable with dogs approaching them. We have had several instances of children expressing fears about approaching dogs or animals that have jumped up or barked. I am asking your cooperation to leave pets at home when dropping off and picking up students.

Inclement Weather On extremely cold or very rainy days, children will report directly to the auditorium when arriving at school. Kindergarten students will report to their rooms, students in grades 1 and 2 will report to the cafeteria and grades 3-5 remain in the auditorium.

Parents are asked to drive carefully during foul weather conditions. The combination of umbrellas, turned down heads, hats and scarves create hazardous visibility conditions.

Emergency Closings In the event that school should have to close for the day, close early, or have a delayed opening, the following procedures should be followed in order to ensure that students’ safety and well-being are looked after.

Delayed openings will be 90 minutes. School begins at 10:25 AM. Early closings would occur at 1:30 PM or sometime thereafter. Bus transportation would be adjusted depending on the delay or early closing.

1) When weather conditions or forecasts are threatening, please listen to your radio on one of the following stations:

AM – 920 WTTM, 1350 WHWH or

1260 WBUD

FM – 94.5 WPST, 101.5 WKXW or

Hamilton Cable Channel 78 also lists these Emergency Closings as well as the Hamilton Twp. School Website www.hamilton.k12.nj.us.

2) The district utilizes the School Messenger service, an automated calling system to notify families of all emergency closings. In the event of a school closing or delayed opening, you will receive a call on your phone/emergency number directly. The district website will also be updated to display the


Late/Absent When your child will be arriving late, you must report to the principal’s office to sign them in. When your child has been absent for any reason, a note must be sent to school on their first day back giving a reason for the absence. This is a school district requirement. Students excessively late or absent will be referred to the district attendance officer after a warning.

Children Left Behind On occasion, an emergency may come up where you are unable to get to school on time to pick up your child/children. During these times, please call the school and we will be glad to assist you. This should be the exception and not the rule. Parents who we feel are taking advantage of our generosity to assist will be contacted and asked to make other arrangements. The Main Office closes at 4:00 PM.

Messages Please try to finalize all plans prior to school with regard to children being picked up or leaving early for appointments. This can be sent in writing to the teachers. Minimizing phone calls to the school would be appreciated. The office is a very busy and hectic place at times. Calling classes with messages is also a distraction to the students/teachers.

“Forgetfulness”

Responsibility is a major focus in the educational process. Children learn independence by being

responsible for items they are capable of remembering. Therefore, children may not use school phones to request delivery of forgotten

sneakers, homework, etc.

Cell Phones Students are not permitted to use cell phones in school, on school property, or on the school bus.

Refer to district policy No. 5516.

Sincerely,

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Faculty A complete list of current faculty can be found on page 4.

Hamilton School Board The Hamilton School Board meets the third and fourth Wednesday of each month. Elections are held in November. Terms are for three years.

School Board Members 2016-2017 Anthony Celentano– President Dina Thornton – Vice President

Michelle Episcopo, Susan Ferrara, Chris Scales, Richard Kanka, Pam Kelly, , Susan Lombardo, Jennifer Kraemer

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Thomas Ficarra 631-4100

Emergency Cards At the beginning of the school year, all contact information is updated for each student. There are several forms, many carrying duplicate information, which go to different office sites in an effort to keep all student information current. It is necessary to fill out all forms fully and return them to the school as soon as possible. Please inform the school immediately by phone or letter of any changes in your home or work numbers. Failure to do so may make it impossible for the office to contact you with emergency information.

Call-In Program If your child will be late or absent, please call 631-4159 press 4 to report it. This phone line is attached to a 24-hour answering machine provided for you. Please give the date, your child’s teacher’s name, your child’s name, and a brief reason for the absence or lateness.


Morning Drop-Off and Afternoon Pick-Up Plans

Please keep this as a reference and make copies for friends and relatives who may be picking up or dropping off your children from school. There is NO parking in the large or small parking lots before 9:00 AM or after 3:00 PM unless you are in the school on official business. The pick-up area will not be open until 3:20 PM due to the possibility of students being on the playground.

As you pull into the parking area, keep to the right and follow the arrows to a parking space. This will allow you to easily pull out of any spot and continue to follow the arrows to exit. Be cautious if you must back up to leave. If you are in the first row that faces the fence, you must turn left out of your spot and proceed around the lot because other cars may still be entering the lot. When the lot is full, you may park along the outer fence around the edge of the lot .

There is absolutely NO PARKING across the street from the school or on the school side where buses park for pick-up. Anyone not abiding by this will be referred to the police.

Students in kindergarten and grade 1 EXIT through the door of the new wing in the back parking area. Students in grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 will be dismissed from Door #1. Please follow the diagrams as shown, moving through the school yard cautiously and slowly at all times. Please be courteous to our parents who help to monitor the situation and keep it safe for students. Please do not attempt to stop and pick up your child while in a ‘moving’ lane. Have them wait until you have parked in the pick-up parking area and have come to pick them up in the holding area.

NO students or children are to use the playground/equipment from 3:20 – 3:45 PM for obvious safety reasons. All students should go home after school and return later if they wish to use the equipment.

Businesses in the area have requested that parents not use their lots for ‘temporary parking’ when dropping off or picking up children as this interferes with their normal business activities.

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Clothing/Personal Belongings Children are expected to come to school appropriately dressed for the weather and active play periods. Unless it is raining, extremely cold or poor playground conditions exist, all children will go outside for physical education and lunch time recess. Experience has demonstrated that there is a correlation between dress and student behavior and safety. Board of Education policy states that “students shall not wear clothing which may: (1) be deemed a safety hazard, (2) restrict students from doing their best work, or (3) create a distraction. Children should, therefore, dress appropriately for a learning environment. They should likewise appear neat, clean and well groomed.” The following garments and articles are prohibited in school: 1. Suggestive clothing, including but not limited to tight fitting or transparent clothing, halter tops, bare midriff tops and/or backs and tank tops etc.; 2. Short skirts, shorts, etc. that have overly revealing lengths; 3. Hats, caps, head coverings, sweat bands, bandannas must be removed when a student enters the building. Any head coverings that are considered distracting, are not permitted; 4. Bare feet, unsafe footwear, including but not limited to flip flops, slippers, cleated or spiked shoes; 5. Apparel that may be inflammatory, offensive, obscene, or disruptive to the educational process

Sneakers are required on Physical Education days. Please clearly mark all clothing, book-bags, and personal items with the child’s name. Please check our lost and found periodically; you may be surprised by what you find!

Visiting If you wish to visit the school, you must sign in and receive a visitors pass at the Principal’s Office. This measure is designed to reduce unauthorized people in the halls during the school day. Please call ahead to arrange a convenient time for your meeting if you wish to speak with school personnel. You will be issued a visitor’s pass when you sign in.


Impetigo: May return 24 hours after beginning anti-microbial therapy and when lesions are dry, with signed permission from an attending physician.

Lice/Pediculosis: May return when all nits/lice are eliminated. Must be cleared by the school nurse.

Measles: May return four days from the first appearance of the rash, with signed permission from the attending physician.

Mononucleosis: May return upon clinical recovery, with signed permission from the attending physician.

Mumps: May return after at least nine days or when all swelling has disappeared, whichever is longer.

Ringworm: May return when under treatment, with signed permission from the attending physician.

Scabies: May return when free from infection, with signed permission from the attending physician.

Streptococcal Infections – (Strep Throat, Scarlet Fever, Scarletina): May return after two days if under medical treatment, or upon clinical recovery, with signed permission from an attending physician.

Health screenings are done on an annual basis for all children. The following areas are checked annually: dental, vision, hearing, weight and height. Color perception is assessed in kindergarten and third grade. Scoliosis screenings are performed in the fourth and fifth grade. Periodic inspections for head lice are also performed.

Health Services Mercerville has a full-time nurse who is available in the health office on a daily basis. It is extremely important that the school health office be informed of any changes in your child’s health status (i.e. – allergies, communicable diseases or hospitalization). When illness or injury occurs during school hours, the school nurse’s care is limited to first-aide only. Follow-up care is the responsibility of the parents. Children who become ill during school hours will be referred to the school nurse and will remain in the nurse’s office until arrangements can be made for the child to be taken home. Transportation under such circumstances is a parental responsibility.

In order to protect your child and his/her classmates, we ask that students be kept home if they display any symptoms of illness. Any child who becomes ill with one or more of the following diseases will not be permitted to attend school for the indicated time period. Upon returning to school after one of these illnesses, the child must be checked by the School Nurse before being re-admitted.

Chicken Pox: May return six days from the first appearance of the rash, or after lesions become dry.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): May return when under treatment one to three days and after any discharge has ceased.

'Fifth Disease': May return with signed permission from an attending physician.

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Class Placements All students will receive a notice in the mail of their class placement before school begins.

First through Fifth Grades First grade students must be six years old on or before October 1st of the year they enter school. The first grade student may enter if he or she has completed a kindergarten program in a certified public or private school.

Children registering from outside the Hamilton Township District will need health records, transfer card and, if possible, a report card from the sending school for enrollment. Proof of residency is also required.

Transferring

If it is necessary to relocate or transfer a child during the school year, the school office and the teacher should be notified at least one week in advance so the necessary transfer forms may be completed. All library books and textbooks must be returned prior to the student leaving.

Medications If it becomes necessary for your child to be medicated during school hours, the school nurse will do so after all necessary approvals have been secured, which includes approval by the school district’s chief medical examiner. Parents can obtain a request form from the nurse’s office. Non-prescriptive, over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin, creams, cough drops, lozenges and the like are also considered medicines and are treated as a prescribed medicine.

Parents are invited to come to the school to medicate the student if the above conditions are not convenient. Please consult the principal or the school nurse concerning a student in need of medication while on a field trip.

Registration Requirements Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten students must be five years old on or before October 1st of the year they enter school.

Hamilton Township holds registration for kindergarten students between the end of January and mid-March. Parents, along with incoming students, attend registration at Mercerville School.

Sometime in May, the Mercerville School and the PTA hold a Kindergarten Tea for both the parent/guardian and the incoming kindergarten student. The children go to the classrooms while the parents stay in the auditorium for an oral/visual presentation of what to expect in the upcoming year.

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Breakfast/Lunch Breakfast is available daily. It will be served from 8:35-8:55 AM each morning in the cafeteria. The cost will be $1.30.

Students may bring lunch from home and purchase milk, or buy a lunch in the school cafeteria. Milk is .65¢ each, lunches are $2.60 each. There are several different lunch selections on the menu each day. Please review the menu with your child daily so they know what they can order. Snacks are available every day for students as per their seating arrangement. Prices are subject to change.

Birthday Celebrations

Children may celebrate their birthdays with their classes by bringing in suitable items to share with all class members. Please contact your child’s teacher for total class count and also for recommendations on what to serve due to food allergies within the class. They will need to be advised in advance if you will be sending a treat with your child. If your child needs to distribute invitations for a party or would like to hand out cards, please make sure that there is an invitation for each child in the class.

Field Day Each spring, students participate in an intramural competition. All parents/relatives are invited to attend. The PTA asks parents to volunteer during the Field Day activities. This event is sponsored by our Physical Education Staff.

School Pictures School pictures are offered to parents/guardians each year. Individual packages/group picture are taken in the fall and the spring.

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Lost and Found Should you or your child misplace any personal belongings while at school or on the school grounds, check in the main office or cafeteria for the missing articles. ‘Lost’ items are held until the end of the school year, and then they are turned over to the Rescue Mission. If you should find something, it is your responsibility to bring it to the office to be placed in the ‘Lost and Found’ box in the foyer outside the library.

Field Trips Students in each grade go on several field trips during the school year. You will be informed by letter of each trip that contains a permission slip that must be signed. Field trips are also listed on the monthly PTA Calendar. It is important to note that if you elect to be a chaperone on any field trip that you must observe the following: 1) You may not bring any other younger or

older siblings on the trip. Your responsibility must be to the students you have volunteered to chaperone.

2) As a chaperone, please observe all instructions from the teachers and meet at designated areas as scheduled.

3) Souvenir shopping, unless designated by the staff, is frowned upon and detracts from the purpose for which the trip was intended.

4) We also request that parents/guardians avoid planning their own trips to our field trip destinations on the same date and time.

5) Parents/Guardians are to observe the NO SMOKING policy of the school when on field trips with our students.

6) Do not park in the staff parking area while chaperoning a field trip.


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PTA Objectives To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school,

community, and place of worship. To raise the standards of home life. To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and

youth. To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents

and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth.

To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social, and spiritual education.

Mercerville PTA Officers 2016-2017

1st Vice-President

Amy Ford

[email protected]

2nd Vice-President

Dina Thornton

[email protected]

Treasurer

Patti Gerber

[email protected]

Recording Secretary

Jayna Brown

[email protected]

Corresponding Secretary

Amber Caiafa

[email protected]

President

Kimberly Miller

[email protected]

Officers serve from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017


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The history of the Mercerville PTA has spanned over 95 years, nearly as old as the school itself. Over the years it has continued to meet the changing needs of the school and community. In 2011, Mercerville School celebrated 100 years of education excellence. Our commitment to the school has grown from just a handful of members to 100% Teacher membership (for 34 continuous years), and almost 400 members.

Our goal of supporting the school is evidenced in the many activities, events, programs, trips, and equipment the PTA has sponsored or donated to the school and children of Mercerville over the years. Here is a sampling of these activities and events during the last school year.

We start off the year by supplying the green folders and handbooks. We provide assignment pads for grades 2-5 on the first day of school. Our monthly pretzel days begin in September. The annual Book Fairs allow us to contribute many additional books to the library and classrooms. In the recent past, we purchased basketball poles, document cameras, and Smart Boards.

The PTA is, once again, proud to help fund class trips for all grades. Class trips vary per grade level, but they have included fun places like Howell Living Farm, Camden Aquarium, and the Constitution Center. Our 5th grade safety patrols enjoyed their annual trip to Six Flags Great Adventure. The PTA budget allowance for class trips is $5,000.

The PTA also helps to sponsor many family oriented activities. The annual Ice Skating Party offers ice skating to Mercerville students and teachers, and family members for a nominal fee charged for other family members. We organize community outreach events collecting food and clothing for families in need. We provide a Holiday Shop in early December where the students have an opportunity to do their holiday shopping. And we ended 2015 and 2016 with a huge Block Party!

Throughout the years, in a multitude of ways, the Mercerville PTA has worked hard to provide enriching experiences for students and their families. This is only a partial listing of our PTA’s activities. To find out more, attend PTA meetings which are held the second Tuesday of every month and support our PTA efforts. Join the Mercerville PTA!

Your PTA


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fundraising efforts but participation in these campaigns is, as always, voluntary.

Green Folders

The Mercerville PTA has purchased folders for all the students of Mercerville School. The folders were purchased in the hopes that school papers and flyers will make it home and, when needed, sent back to school. They are marked on each side; ‘Leave At Home’ and ‘Bring Back to School’. Please help the teachers and students to make this system a success. Additional folders are also available for sale through the school office for $1.00.

Class Holiday Parties

The Mercerville PTA asks for volunteers to be Room Representatives at the beginning of the school year. There are three representatives for each class (except kindergarten, which has four per class). The Room Representatives are responsible for arranging parties, in coordination with the teachers, for their assigned classes. It is important to contact your classroom teacher and plan your class parties accordingly.

Website/Calendars

The PTA publishes a monthly calendar and updates an informative and active website, www.mercervillepta.net. They cover activities, scheduled programs, and other items of interest to the Mercerville School community. All PTA forms can be found at the website.

Joining the PTA

The membership drive begins the first week of school. Your membership fee pays for membership in the National and State PTAs, as well as the county and local PTA chapters. Individual memberships are $5.00. In addition to parents, grandparents, and other significant adults are also encouraged to join.

Our goal is 100% participation of all parents and teachers at Mercerville School. Show your support by jumping online and signing up early!

Executive Board (PTA)

The activities of the PTA are organized through the PTA Executive Board. The executive board is comprised of both voting and non voting members. In order to be a voting member of the executive board a person must chair or co-chair a committee and attend a certain number of monthly meetings. If you do not wish to be a voting member, there are many committees that need enthusiastic members.

Fund Raisers

The programs and events that the Mercerville PTA sponsors are paid for by our fundraisers. Our Kidstuff Coupon Books will begin in early September. We will be repeating our sale of mums in the fall, holiday pie sales, and many other exciting fundraisers. Throughout the year, as needs may arise, we try to find fundraisers that you may find useful and items which you would normally buy. We offer the Write a Check program as an alternate for families that would like to help the school, but do not want to actually buy anything. With this in mind, hopefully everyone can support these


The policy of the Hamilton Township Board of Education is to promote an educational environment that will meet the needs and encourage the development of the abilities of each individual student to the extent of his or her potential within a system that provided equal educational opportunity for all, without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, ancestry, handicap, social, or economic status.

The Board of Education affirms its responsibility to insure that all pupils enrolled in the schools of this district are afforded equal educational opportunities. No pupil shall be denied access to or benefit from any educational program or activity or from a co-curricular or athletic activity on the basis of the pupil’s race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, ancestry, handicap, social or economic status.

Additionally, the Board of Education declares it to be the policy of this district to guarantee to all persons equal access to all categories of employment in this district, regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, ancestry, handicap, social or economic status.

In order to achieve these goals, the Board directs the Superintendent to assume the responsibility of coordinating the implementation of activities and delegating said responsibility to an Affirmative Action Officer/Desegregation Officer, Mr. Joseph Tramontana, Human Resources Director, 90 Park Avenue, Hamilton, New Jersey 08690, telephone number (609) 631-3082, serves as the Affirmative Action Officer.

Furthermore, the Board of Education gives notice that in compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of Federally-Assisted Programs on the Basis of Handicap, the Supervisor of Student Services and Programs, Dr. Barbara Frascella, will serve as the Representative of the Handicapped.

Discipline Board Policy No. R5512

Mercerville School maintains an educational environment that allows students to learn, teachers to teach, and administrators to facilitate instruction. Good discipline is essential to the educational program. The basic goals of our educational program include the promotion of courteous conduct, consideration toward, and respect for the rights of other persons. The district has established a Code of Conduct to assist staff in dealing with problems which adversely affect the stable school environment. The extent to which a student is judged for the alleged deviation or violation of the Code of Conduct is based on observation, investigation and decision of teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in authority.

Hamilton Township Board of Education recognizes the need for a procedure to be in place for persons to report and investigate allegations of harassment, intimidation, or bullying behavior. This Policy is No. R5512.

Our students are educated about bullying behaviors, why they are unacceptable, and the effects of bullying on others.

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State Required Statements for all Handbooks


Mercerville School operates in accordance with the following policies established by the Hamilton Township School District to protect and guide our students.

Affirmative Action for School and Classroom Practices (P2260)

Equity in Educational Programs & Services (P5755)

Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (P5512)

Pupil Supervision After School Dismissal (sent home yearly) (P8601)

Smoking on School Premises (P5533)

Substance Abuse (P5530)

Acceptable Use of Computer Network/Computers and Resources (sent home yearly) (P2361)

School Visitors (P9150)

No Child Left Behind Complaints (P2415.20)

Excusal from Class or Program (P5250)

Cyber—Bullying (P5512-02)

Sexual Harassment (P5751)

Managing Life Threatening allergies in Schools (P5331)

Equal Education Opportunity (P5750)

These policies, along with many others, can be viewed in their entirety in the office of Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, the office at Mercerville School, and online at www.hamilton.k12.nj.us.

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District Policies


WHY DO I HAVE TO FILL OUT SO MANY

FORMS EVERY YEAR?

Multi-part forms are unfortunately too

expensive to reproduce. Each form is designed

for different purposes or different file locations.

Much of the information requested is necessary

to comply with local or state education policies.

These forms are usually the longest and contain

the most complete information. Since lifestyles,

home situations, phone numbers and even

addresses change with some frequency, it is

necessary to update this information at least on

an annual basis. One copy stays in the main

office. Another stays with the nurse. Another

form is used by the PTA for contacting families

when there are delayed openings or early

closings; for room representatives to arrange

parties or chaperones for trips. The ‘Student

Information Form’ is used for the Call-In

program to confirm a child’s absence. Since the

PTA does not require much more than current

phone numbers, alternate contact names and

sibling information, none of the other

information is necessary. The school information

cards are considered “confidential and privileged

information.” The PTA does not have access to

them.

I ONLY WORK PART-TIME DURING THE

WEEK. DO YOU NEED THAT WORK NUMBER

TOO?

Whether you work or volunteer outside your

home a few days or a few hours a week, it is

necessary that the school know where to reach

you in case of an emergency. Please note next

to your number on the information cards when

you may be reached at these numbers.

I’D LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, BUT I WORK

FULL-TIME. HOW CAN I HELP?

Many volunteer positions do not ask for

daytime helpers, or yearlong commitments.

Some volunteer work fits into occasional lunch

periods. All volunteer schedules take into

account other commitments, so please indicate

your willingness to volunteer and the hours

(lunch breaks, evening or weekend) you could

help out.

I DO NOT NEED TO BE CALLED WHEN MY

CHILD IS ABSENT BECAUSE I DRIVE HER TO

SCHOOL AND STAY HOME FULL-TIME. COULD

MY NAME BE REMOVED FROM THESE LISTS?

The ‘Student Information Form’ for the

PTA offers a place to indicate if you do NOT

wish to be called by the Call-In Program or the

PTA courtesy phone chain. Your phone

numbers are still necessary for Room

Representatives for class parties, etc., and other

PTA-related business.

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Why do I have to fill out so many forms every year? Multi-part forms are unfortunately too expensive to reproduce. Each form is designed for different purposes or different file locations. Much of the information requested is necessary to comply with local or state education policies. These forms are usually the longest and contain the most complete information. Since lifestyles, home situations, phone numbers, and even addresses change with some frequency, it is necessary to update this information at least on an annual basis. One copy stays in the main office. Another stays with the nurse. Another form is used by the PTA for contacting families when there are emergency closings and for room representatives to arrange parties or chaperones for trips. The ‘Student Information Sheet is used for the Call-In program to confirm a child’s absence. Since the PTA does not require much more than current phone numbers, alternate contact names, and sibling information, none of the other information is necessary. The school information cards are considered “confidential and privileged information.” The PTA does not have access to them.

I work part-time during the week. Do you need that work number too?

Whether you work or volunteer outside your home a few days or a few hours a week, it is necessary that the school know where to reach you in case of an emergency. Please note next to your number on the information cards when you may be reached at these numbers.

I’d like to volunteer, but I work full-time. How can I help?

Many volunteer positions do not ask for daytime helpers, or yearlong commitments. Some volunteer work fits into occasional lunch periods. All volunteer schedules take into account other commitments, so please indicate your willingness to volunteer and the hours (lunch breaks, evenings or weekends) you could help out.

I do not need to be called when my child is absent because I drive her to school and stay home full-time. Could my name be removed from these lists?

The ‘Student Information Sheet’ still requests your phone numbers for Room Representatives to be able to call you about class parties, etc., and other PTA-related business.

Questions & Answers


Make sure you visit

our website at


Mercerville Mountain Lions 2015-2016 School Community Handbook

Mercerville School Handbook

Documents

Transcript of Mercerville School Handbook